Turns out the Vikings also had a bounty program when Brett Favre was QB

When it comes to Brett Favre’s time with the Vikings, a few things come to mind. His spectacular 2009 season, absolutely. But Vikings fans also remember how dirty the New Orleans Saints were in the NFC Championship game that left Favre bruised and tattered. Of course, we would find out later that the Saints, led by defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, had a bounty program focused on injuring Favre.

Well, in retrospect, the Vikings can’t be all that upset with the Saints considering they did the exact same thing.

“I had coaches start a pot and all the veterans put in an extra $100, $200, and if you hurt someone special, you get the money. There was a bottom line, and I think we all bought in: you’re there to win, and if taking out the other team’s best player helps you win, hey, it’s nothing personal. Just business.”

Oh, boy. That looks great for the NFL. And it does sound extremely personal.

One of Minnesota’s “targets” in the 2008 season, according to the excerpt, was Nick Barnett, a Green Bay linebacker. The price to “take him out” was $500. This was all in 2008 and according to the book, Hicks said nothing changed in ’09 when Favre took over at quarterback.

Of course, we know what happened to end the season in the NFC Championship.

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“It wasn’t a bounty, where you name one guy and offer money for him,” said Saints defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove. “It was incentives for good plays, hard hits, changing the game. We all put in, and maybe you could get $100, $200, $500. That’s what it was.”

But shouldn’t the player’s salary be enough as an incentive?

Hmmm . . .

Read the except from Deadspin and then buy the book.

It’ll be interesting to see if Roger Goodell and the NFL takes a look into this considering they take a look into literally everything.